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How did traditional mountain villages differ from villages in the western Caucasus?

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Snow-covered peaks and ridges of the Caucasus Mountains in Russia stretch across the landscape under a pale sky. — Caucasus Caucasus Mountains in Russia.

Traditional mountain villages in the Caucasus and those in the western Caucasus differ primarily in their architectural style and settlement layout, reflecting the diverse geography of the region.1

In the treeless highlands of the Caucasus, traditional villages are characterized by stone houses that are clustered tightly together and built directly into the mountain slopes.1

In contrast, villages in the western Caucasus are defined by a more dispersed layout, consisting of individual homesteads surrounded by fences. The construction materials also differ, as these western structures are typically made of wood or wattles coated with clay, rather than the stone used in the higher, treeless regions.1

These variations in settlement patterns highlight the adaptation of local populations to the varied environments of the Caucasus, which range from high-altitude highlands to the forests and foothills of the west.1